Measurement instrument

ABSTRACT

A measuring instrument (A) includes a pressurizing mechanism (C) which moves at least one of a measuring article (S) and a connector ( 4 ) toward and into pressing contact with the other when the measuring article (S) is placed at a measuring position (P). This prevents improper connection between the connector ( 4 ) and the measuring article (S) caused by wear of the connector ( 4 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to measuring instruments and relatedtechniques used in such an application as measuring the glucose level inhuman blood.

BACKGROUND ART

As a conventional example in the field of measuring instrument, a deviceis known in which a cartridge loaded with a plurality of sensors is setto a predetermined position, and an operation is made to a sensordispensing mechanism for taking a sensor, one at a time, out of thecartridge to a predetermined measuring position (See JP-A 8-262026 forexample). The sensor is, for example, a small piece containing a reagentwhich reacts with e.g. glucose in the blood, and provided with a pair ofelectrodes. Near the measuring position, a connector is provided, whichmakes contact with the pair of electrodes of the sensor when the sensorcomes to the measuring position. With such an arrangement, when thereagent in the sensor makes contact with the blood of the user, ameasurement circuit in the measuring instrument measures a glucose levelin the blood, and a result of the measurement is displayed in a display.Such a measuring instrument enables easy measurement of blood glucoselevel.

However, according to the conventional art, when the sensor istransported to the measuring position, the sensor is rubbed stronglyagainst the connector in order to make sure that the sensor has areliable contact with the connector. Thus, in the conventional art, theelectrodes of the connector and the sensor wear out after repeated useof the measuring instrument, which can lead to poor contact between thecomponents. Further, as the electrodes wear out, resulting powderyparticles can stick to the connector and causes such problems as shortcircuit and reduced accuracy in the measurement.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a measuring instrumentcapable of solving or reducing the above problem.

A measuring instrument provided by the present invention comprisesmeasuring article transporting means for transportation of a measuringarticle from a predetermined set position to a measuring position forcontact with a connector, and a measurement circuit for performing ameasuring operation using the measuring article upon connection of themeasuring article with the connector. The measuring instrument furthercomprises pressurizing means for moving at least one of the measuringarticle and the connector toward and into pressing contact with theother when the measuring article is at the measuring position.

Preferably, the pressurizing means includes a mechanism for moving theconnector to the measuring article in a reciprocating manner.

Preferably, the connector moves away from the measuring position foravoiding contact with the measuring article during the transportation ofthe measuring article to the measuring position.

Preferably, the pressurizing means includes a supporting membersupporting the connector and a pressing member separate from thesupporting member. The pressing member makes a first operation ofpressing a first surface of the supporting member to deform thesupporting member for a movement of the connector away from themeasuring article, and a second operation of pressing a second surfaceof the supporting member which is a surface away from the first surfaceto deform the supporting member for a movement of the connector towardthe measuring article.

Preferably, the supporting member extends in a predetermined directionand includes a first and a second cutout recesses spaced from each otherlongitudinally of the supporting member. The pressing member makes aforward movement from a predetermined initial position on a side of thefirst surface of the supporting member, passes through the first cutoutrecess after the first operation and moves on a side of the secondsurface of the supporting member. The pressing member then makes arearward movement in a reverse direction of the forward movement afterthe second operation, passes through the second cutout recess and comesback to the initial position.

Preferably, the supporting member includes a ramp between the first andthe second cutout recesses. The pressing member presses the ramp duringthe forward movement and the rearward movement for making the first andthe second operations.

Preferably, the measuring article transporting means includes a movablemember reciprocatable longitudinally of the supporting member. Thepressing member is supported by the movable member for reciprocationwith the movable member.

Preferably, the measuring instrument according to the present inventionfurther comprises a stopper contactable with a rear end of the measuringarticle for preventing retraction of the measuring article once themeasuring article is placed at the measuring position.

Preferably, the stopper extends out of the connector. The connectormoves away from the measuring position during the transportation of themeasuring article to the measuring position for preventing interferencebetween the stopper and the measuring article, whereas the connectormoves closer to the measuring article after the transportation of themeasuring article for placing the stopper behind the measuring article.

Preferably, the measuring instrument according to the present inventionfurther comprising a casing formed with an opening for exposure of atleast part of the measuring article placed at the measuring position,and the measuring article transporting means is capable of dischargingthe measuring article from the opening out of the casing.

Preferably, the connector moves away from the measuring position whenthe measuring article is discharged from the opening out of the casing.

Preferably, the measuring article transporting means includes a movablemember for pushing to move the measuring article. The movable membermoves to discharge the measuring article out of the casing while makingcontact with the connector, thereby pushing the connector away from themeasuring position.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention willbecome clearer from the description of the mode of embodiment to begiven hereafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified sectional view of a measuring instrument as anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken in lines II-II in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a simplified perspective view of a sensor dispensing mechanismused in the measuring instrument in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a primary portion in thesensor dispensing mechanism used in the measuring instrument in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a primary portion in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a simplified sectional view showing an operation of themeasuring instrument in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a simplified sectional view showing an operation of themeasuring instrument in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a simplified sectional view showing an operation of themeasuring instrument in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a simplified sectional view showing an operation of themeasuring instrument in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a simplified sectional view showing an operation of themeasuring instrument in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a primary portion, showing anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a primary portion, showing still anotherembodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed specifically, with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a measuring instrument according to the presentinvention. As clearly shown in FIG. 1, a measuring instrument Aaccording to the present invention includes: a storage 1 for storing aplurality of sensors S; a sensor dispensing mechanism B for taking asensor S out of the storage 1 to a predetermined measuring position P; ameasurement circuit 3; a connector 4; a connector pressurizing mechanismC and a casing 5 which houses all of these. The sensor S is a smallpiece containing a reagent which reacts with glucose and a pair ofelectrodes (none of these are illustrated) contacted with the reagent.

The storage 1 is like a box, capable of storing a stack of sensors S,and has a wall 1 a in the form of a rectangular tube. The wall 1 a hasan upper end connected to a lower surface of a base member 70 fixed inthe casing 5. The wall 1 a has an upper portion formed with a dischargeport 19 for discharging a sensor S from the storage 1 in a forwarddirection (toward the right as in the drawing) and a cutout recess 19 afacing the port. The cutout recess 19 a provides a passage for a secondmovable member 2B to be described later. The storage 1 has a lowerportion formed with an insertion port 10 which can be closed by a lid60. When the lid 60 is detached, an appropriate quantity of the sensorsS can be replenished from the insertion port 10. The lid 60 has acontact plate 61 which makes contact with the lowermost sensor S of thestack of sensors S loaded in the storage 1, and a spring 62 for urgingthe contact plate 61 in an upward direction. These members work toprovide a constant upward urge to the sensors S in the storage 1.

As clearly shown in FIG. 2, a pair of contact plates 13 is providedinside the storage 1, not interfering with a path of the second movablemember 2B. The uppermost sensor S (Sa) in the storage 1 makes contactwith downward facing surfaces 13 a of these contact plates 13, and iscontrolled to be at a predetermined height. The contact plates 13 areunder an downward urge from a spring 12. This elastic urge is smallerthan the elastic urge from the spring 62. Each contact plate 13 ispressed upward by the elastic urge of the spring 62, to make contactwith the lower surface of the base member 70. The storage 1 has a lowerinner wall provided with an opposed pair of stoppers 11. Each stopper 11is elastically deformable to allow insertion of sensors S from below theinsertion port 10 into the storage 10, and is engagable with thelowermost sensor S of the sensors S inserted in the storage 1 to preventthe sensors S in the storage 1 from dropping out of the insertion port10. When the lid 60 is removed to replenish the storage 1 with sensorsS, these stoppers 11 reliably eliminate possibilities that the sensor Sin the storage may drop, making easy to replenish the sensors S.

Referring to FIG. 1, below the connector 4 is a support 71, a region onwhich is the measuring position P. The support 71 has a generallyhorizontal upper surface for supporting a sensor S which comes from thestorage 1, and is ahead of the discharge port 19. The casing 5 is formedwith an exposure/discharging opening 50 at a place ahead of themeasuring position P.

The connector 4 includes a block 40 made of resin for example, which hasa lower surface formed with metal terminals 41 for making contact withthe pair of electrodes of the sensor S. The measurement circuit 3includes a CPU, a memory and other relevant components, and iselectrically connected to the connector 4. With the connector 4electrically connected to the electrodes of a sensor S placed at themeasuring position P, and the sensor S having its reagent wetted by ahuman blood, the measurement circuit 3 is capable of obtaining a glucoselevel in the blood, based on variation etc. of an electric currentpassed through the reagent after the blood is introduced. Values of theglucose level and other information obtained by the measurement circuit3 are displayable on a display 30 provided by a liquid crystal panel forexample.

The connector pressurizing mechanism C includes, as shown in FIG. 3, apair of first supporting members 42A and a pair of second supportingmembers 42B supporting the connector 4, and a pusher 20.

Each of these first and the second supporting members 42A, 42B isprovided by a metal leaf spring extending in longitudinal directions N1of the measuring instrument A, and has a cantilever structure, i.e.having its one end attached to an upper wall of the casing 5 via abracket 51, while the other end connected to the connector 4 (See FIG.1). Although not illustrated in the drawings, each of the secondsupporting members 42B is electrically connected to the terminals 41 ofthe connector 4, serving as part of wiring which establishes electricalconnection of the terminals 41 with the measurement circuit 3. Theterminals 41 can be formed integrally with the second supporting members42B. The connector 4 may not be supported by the second supportingmembers 42B but supported by only the first supporting members 42A.Therefore, according to the present invention, electrical connectionbetween the connector 4 and the measurement circuit 3 may be achieved byelectric wires instead of the second supporting members 42B. Each of thefirst supporting members 42A has a forwardly down-sloping ramp 43 in itslongitudinally intermediate portion, and a first and a second cutouts 44a, 44 b sandwiching the ramp 43 from front and rear. As will bedescribed later, these portions work with a pusher 20, helping theconnector 4 to do predetermined rising and lowering operations.

The pusher 20, which is columnar for example, pushes and elasticallydeforms each of the first supporting members 42A in vertical directions.The pusher 20, which is supported by the second movable member 2B of thesensor dispensing mechanism B via the leaf spring 23, can rise and loweras well as reciprocate in the longitudinal directions N1 together withthe second movable member 2B. As will be described later, thereciprocation of the pusher 20 generates predetermined operations suchas pushing the ramp 43 of the first supporting member 42A, and making avertical passing through the first and the second cutout recesses 44 a,44 b.

The sensor dispensing mechanism B includes a first and a second movablemembers 2A, 2B, and a movable block 22. The first movable member 2A hasa pair of projections 21 for engagement with an operating tab 72 whichis on the upper surface of the casing 5, and is capable of reciprocatingin the longitudinal directions N1 of the measuring instrument A, on thebase member 70 when operated via the operating tab 72. The secondmovable member 2B is ahead of the first movable member 2A, and iscapable of reciprocating together with the first movable member 2A inthe same directions. The first and the second movable members 2A, 2B areunder constant rearward elastic urge f from e.g. a pair of springs 79shown in FIG. 3. Thus, when moving these first and the second movablemembers 2A, 2B in the forward direction, the operating tab 72 must bepressed in the forward direction against the elastic urge f. It shouldbe noted that according to the present embodiment, the first and thesecond movable members 2A, 2B are formed separately. However, accordingto the present invention, they may be formed integrally with each other.The base member 70 supports the storage 1, guides the first and thesecond movable members 2A, 2B in their sliding movement, and has a slit73 which communicates with the discharge port 19 and the cutout recess19 a of the storage 1. The second movable member 2B is capable ofpassing through the slit 73, the cutout recess 19 a and the dischargeport 19 for pushing an uppermost sensor S (Sa) in the storage 1 towardthe measuring position P.

The movable block 22 fits in an opening 24 formed in the first movablemember 2A and is movable in widthwise directions N2 of the measuringinstrument A. The movable block 22 is constantly urged by a spring 25 ina direction indicated by Arrow N. As shown clearly in FIG. 4, the basemember 70 is provided with a cam groove 26 whereas the movable block 22has a bottom surface formed with a downward facing pin 27 which fits inthe cam groove 26.

The cam groove 26 is shaped as shown in FIG. 5. The upward direction inFIG. 5 is the forward direction of the measuring instrument A. When thefirst and the second movable members 2A, 2B are at their most rearwardpositions, the pin 27 is at a first position P1 in the cam groove 26.When the first and the second movable members 2A, 2B are reciprocated,the pin 27 moves forward for a predetermined distance S1 or to a secondposition P2 in the cam groove 26, and then moves back to a thirdposition P3, and then forward to a fourth position P4, before comingback to the first position P1. With such an arrangement, a cycle ofmoving operations of the first and the second movable members 2A, 2Bincludes two forward movements. The fourth position P4 is ahead of thesecond position P2 by a predetermined dimension S2. This allows thefirst and the second movable members 2A, 2B to reach a farther point intheir second forward movement than in the first forward movement of thefirst and the second movable members 2A, 2B. When the pin 27 moves inwidthwise directions N2, the movable block 22 moves in the widthwisedirections N2, while the first movable member 2A will not move togetherin the same directions. As has been described, the movable block 22 isconstantly urged by the spring 25 in the direction N3. Thus, when thepin 27 moves from the second position P2 to the third position P3, andwhen moving back from the fourth position P4 to the first position P1,the pin 27 moves in the direction N3 under the urge, making sure thatthese operations happen reliably. The pin 27 is contacted and guided bya wall 26 a formed in the cam groove 26 when moving forward from thefirst position P1, so that it will not move toward the fourth positionP4.

Next, description will cover an operation and function of the measuringinstrument A.

Starting from the situation in FIG. 1, the operating tab 72 is operatedin the forward direction. This causes, as shown in FIG. 6, the first andthe second movable members 2A, 2B to move forward, with the secondmovable member 2B having its tip pass through the slit 73. In thisoperation, the second movable member 2B pushes an uppermost sensor S(Sa) in the storage 1 ahead of the storage 1 to the measuring positionP. As the second movable member 2B moves forward, the pusher 20 pressesa lower surface of the ramp 43 of each first supporting members 42A.With the pusher 20 placed on the upper surface of the second movablemember 2B, and with the pusher 20 having its rear making contact with anappropriate wall 29 of the first movable member 2A, it is possible topush the ramp 43 appropriately in the forward direction without causingthe pusher 20 to lower or retract. When the pusher 20 presses the lowersurface of the ramp 43, each first supporting member 42A deforms upwardto raise the connector 4. Therefore, when a sensor S (Sa) is deliveredto the measuring position P, the sensor S (Sa) will not make contactwith the terminals 41, which protects the terminals 41 from wear, makingthe terminals serviceable in multiple times of use while assuring smoothtransportation of the sensor S (Sa) to the measuring position P.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, when the first and the second movable members2A, 2B move further forward to bring the pin 27 to the second positionP2 of the cam groove 26, the sensor S makes further forward movement,causing part of the sensor S projecting out of the casing 5, from theopening 50. On the other hand, the pusher 20 reaches where the firstcutouts 44 a are formed in the first supporting members 42A, passesthrough this place and thereby moves above each of the supportingmembers 42A. Thus, the pusher 20 no longer presses up the firstsupporting members 42A, which allows the connector 4 to come down to theinitial height. In the above described forward movement of the first andthe second movable members 2A, 2B is the first forward movementdescribed with reference to FIG. 5. Successively, in order to make thesecond forward movement, the members must be retracted first. Thisrearward movement can be accomplished easily by an elastic urge providedby a pair of springs 79.

As shown in FIG. 8, the rearward movement of the first and the secondmovable members 2A, 2B brings the pin 27 to the third position P3 (Apart of the cam groove 26 shown in FIG. 8 is not the same part as a partof the cam groove 26 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 6 or FIG. 7. This alsoapplies to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10). As understood, when the first and thesecond movable members 2A, 2B retract, the pusher 20 pushes rearward theupper surface of the ramp 43 of each supporting member 42A. The pushingforce from the pusher 20 deforms each first supporting member 42Adownward, exerting a downward force F on the connector 4. This makes theterminals 41 of the connector 4 be pressed onto the electrodes of thesensor S (Sa), establishing reliable electrical connections. While theconnector 4 is being pressed onto the sensor S (Sa), the sensor S (Sa)is supplied with blood, and the measurement circuit 3 performs ameasurement of glucose level in the blood.

As shown in FIG. 9, the operating tab 72 is forwarded again thereafter,which makes the second forward movement of the first and the secondmovable members 2A, 2B, causing the second movable member 2B to push thesensor S (Sa) out of the casing 5 from the opening 50. Therefore, theuser can dispose of the sensor S(Sa) without touching the sensor S (Sa),which is preferable in terms of sanitation. After finishing the secondforward movement, as shown in FIG. 10, it becomes possible to move thefirst and the second movable members 2A, 2B back to the initialpositions. Since the pusher 20 is displaceable in vertical directions,when the first and the second movable members 2A, 2B make the rearwardmovement, it is also possible to have the pusher 20 pass above the firstsupporting members 42A and through the second cutouts 44 b as indicatedby phantom lines in the drawing, thereby having the pusher 20 come backto its initial position. Though not illustrated in the drawings, themeasuring instrument A includes a guide in order to smoothen the abovedescribed return travel of the pusher 20.

In the measuring instrument A according to the present invention, whenthe uppermost sensor S(Sa) of the sensors S stored in the storage 1 hasbeen dispensed to the measuring position P, the next sensor Simmediately below becomes a new uppermost sensor which then isdispensable to the measuring position P by the next cycle of operationsof the first and the second movable members 2A, 2B. Therefore, it ispossible to repeat the measuring process of the glucose level. Further,as mentioned earlier, the storage 1 can be replenished with anappropriate quantity of sensors S at any time. Therefore, when the userleaves home for a long period of time for example, he may convenientlycarry the measuring instrument A with the storage 1 completely orsufficiently filled with the sensors S. The sensors S in the storage 1are transported to the measuring position P in the same sequential orderas the sensors S are loaded into the storage 1. This advantageouslyreduces an undesirable possibility that older sensors remain unused anddeteriorates over time in the storage.

As described, the connector pressurizing mechanism C makes the pusher 20move in a cycle of predetermined path, and press the first supportingmember 42A in this movement, thereby bringing the connector 4 closer toand away from the sensor S. Since the mechanism is a simple structure,it is suitable for keeping manufacturing cost of the measuringinstrument A as low as possible. The pusher 20 is driven by areciprocating movement of the first and the second movable members 2A,2B, which is more preferable for simplification of the entire structureas well as for making operations easier.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show another embodiment of the present invention. Inthese drawings, components identical with or similar to those used inthe above embodiments are indicated by the same alphanumeric codes.

In a constitution shown in FIG. 11, a block 40 of a connector 4 has alower surface provided with a projection serving as a stopper 49. Thestopper 49 is on an opposite side of an opening 50 of the casing 5,sandwiching the terminals 41 of the connector 4 in between, andextending lower than the terminals 41.

An advantage according to such a constitution is that during themeasurement of blood glucose level with the sensor S sandwiched by theterminals 41 of the connector 4 and the support 71, the stopper 49prevents the sensor S from being pushed back in case the user happens topush the tip of sensor S in a direction indicated by Arrow N5. Thus, itbecomes possible to prevent the sensor S from accidentally being pushedinto the casing 5, which increases convenience.

In a constitution shown in FIG. 12, a second movable member 2B has anupper surface formed with a forward down-sloping (rightward down-slopingin the drawing) ramp 48. A connector 4 has a ramp 28 which makes contactwith the ramp 48. These ramps 48, 28 make contact with each other whenthe second movable member 2B makes a forward movement closer to anopening 50. The connector 4 is raised by the contacting operation.

According to such a constitution, it becomes possible to raise theconnector 4 when the second movable member 2B makes a forward movementto discharge a sensor S on a support 71. This makes possible to push thesensor S out of the casing 5 without allowing the sensor S to rubagainst the electrodes 41 of the connector 4, resulting in enhancedprotection of the electrodes 41 from wear. It should be appreciated thatthe ramps for raising the connector may not necessarily be made on bothof the connector 4 and the second movable member 2B, but only on eitherone of the two.

The present invention is not limited to what has been described in theembodiment above. Specific construction of each part and component ofthe measuring instrument according to the present invention may bevaried in many ways.

A pressurizing means according to the present invention may be realizedby a reciprocating component such as a reciprocating cylinder. Thecylinder directly supports the connector, and moves the connector to andfrom the sensor. Alternatively to pressing the connector to the sensor,the sensor may be pressed against the connector in order to achieve thepress fit between the connector and the sensor.

The measuring instrument according to the present invention is notlimited to those for measuring blood glucose levels, and can be made asmeasuring instruments for various kinds of targets in the medical fieldor other technical fields other than medication. Therefore, there is nolimitation to the kinds or specific construction of the measuringarticle.

The present invention places no limitation to a structure to which themeasuring article is set. For example, a package of a plurality ofmeasuring articles may be loaded in an appropriate location of themeasuring instrument, so that the measuring instrument is dispensed fromthis package to a predetermined measuring position. The number ofmeasuring articles loaded in the measuring instrument may not be plural,and the structure may only allow a single measuring article to be set atone time. The connector may not include a resin block, but may beprovided only by electrodes for example, which make contact with themeasuring article. The measuring article transporting means according tothe present invention can be provided by many different structures.Further, mechanical operations in the measuring instrument may not bemanually operated. Alternatively for example, an electric motor may beused to drive necessary components.

1. A measuring instrument comprising: measuring article transportingmeans for transportation of a measuring article from a predetermined setposition to a measuring position for contact with a connector; and ameasurement circuit for performing a measuring operation using themeasuring article upon connection of the measuring article with theconnector, wherein the measuring instrument further comprisespressurizing means for moving at least one of the measuring article andthe connector toward and into pressing contact with the other when themeasuring article is at the measuring position.
 2. The measuringinstrument according to claim 1, wherein the pressurizing means includesa mechanism for moving the connector to the measuring article in areciprocating manner.
 3. The measuring instrument according to claim 2,wherein the connector moves away from the measuring position foravoiding contact with the measuring article during the transportation ofthe measuring article to the measuring position.
 4. The measuringinstrument according to claim 3, wherein the pressurizing means includesa supporting member supporting the connector and a pressing memberseparate from the supporting member, the pressing member making a firstoperation of pressing a first surface of the supporting member to deformthe supporting member for a movement of the connector away from themeasuring article, and a second operation of pressing a second surfaceof the supporting member which is a surface away from the first surfaceto deform the supporting member for a movement of the connector towardthe measuring article.
 5. The measuring instrument according to claim 4,wherein the supporting member extends in a predetermined direction andincludes a first and a second cutout recesses spaced from each otherlongitudinally of the supporting member, the pressing member making aforward movement from a predetermined initial position on a side of thefirst surface of the supporting member, passing through the first cutoutrecess after the first operation and moving on a side of the secondsurface of the supporting member, then making a rearward movement in areverse direction of the forward movement after the second operation,passing through the second cutout recess and coming back to the initialposition.
 6. The measuring instrument according to claim 5, wherein thesupporting member includes a ramp between the first and the secondcutout recesses, the pressing member pressing the ramp during theforward movement and the rearward movement to make the first and thesecond operations.
 7. The measuring instrument according to claim 6,wherein the measuring article transporting means includes a movablemember reciprocatable longitudinally of the supporting member, thepressing member being supported by the movable member for reciprocationwith the movable member.
 8. The measuring instrument according to claim1, further comprising a stopper contactable with a rear end of themeasuring article for preventing retraction of the measuring articleonce the measuring article is placed at the measuring position.
 9. Themeasuring instrument according to claim 8, wherein the stopper extendsout of the connector, the connector moving away from the measuringposition during the transportation of the measuring article to themeasuring position for preventing interference between the stopper andthe measuring article, the connector moving closer to the measuringarticle after the transportation of the measuring article for placingthe stopper behind the measuring article.
 10. The measuring instrumentaccording to claim 1, further comprising a casing formed with an openingfor exposure of at least part of the measuring article placed at themeasuring position, the measuring article transporting means beingcapable of discharging the measuring article from the opening out of thecasing.
 11. The measuring instrument according to claim 10, wherein theconnector moves away from the measuring position when the measuringarticle is discharged from the opening out of the casing.
 12. Themeasuring instrument according to claim 11, wherein the measuringarticle transporting means includes a movable member for pushing to movethe measuring article, the movable member moving to discharge themeasuring article out of the casing while making contact with theconnector thereby pushing the connector away from the measuringposition.